The International Economy: Post on Discussion Board
1. Two Points from the Readings/Videos
The selected videos were “Paul Collier on the "bottom billion" and “Hans Rosling: Stats that reshape your worldview” . The first video talked about four specific ways of helping the billion people who allegedly had been stuck in a stagnant economy through aid, trade, security and governments . The second video talked about the inability to use statistics more effectively to get a better overview of global changes in terms of economic conditions seen from factors such as distribution of income, population, poverty rate, mortality rates, among others.
2. New Content
I got to learn new information in terms of the possibility of assisting nations from the perspectives of developed countries through good governance and an informed citizenry . Likewise, I also learned that there are vast information, especially statistical information, that need to be utilized in ways that would provide a more comprehensive meaning on global conditions on a macro-scale .
3 Relation of Content to Personal Experiences
As a student of economics, these information and new learning are instrumental in changing one’s viewpoint, especially in trying to see things on a macro-perspective. There are tendencies to focus on facets that only benefit personal interests and the achievement of personal or professional goals. However, just like the talks given by Paul Collier, who wanted to enjoin members of the developed nations to provide genuine assistance to the billion bottom, the talk should indeed make viewers, like me, ambassadors of good will. On the other hand, the talk given by Hans Rosling, enhanced my awareness on relevant statistical data which could be used to provide a more accurate information of global or international economy.
4 Personal Critique
One was actually amazed at how people, such as Paul Collier and Hans Rosling, use avenues such as TED talks, to share the knowledge they gained through their profession in illuminating the minds of students and other policymakers to channel important resources to be of assistance to others. One strongly believes that rich and developed nations have an obligation to uplift the economic status of other nations, especially those in Asia, identified to be the poorest among all countries of the world. I am sure national and international policymakers have been made aware of the four specific ways to assist the billion bottom out of a stagnant economic condition, but the immediate positive action still evidently remains non-existent. What is the use of all these theories when they could not be applied to benefit mankind? I believe, although people from different countries are divided by geographic location; overall, we all have one world – with finite resources; and macroeconomics, in conjunction with compassion and enlightened self-interest should stir us to act now.
Works Cited
TED Conferences, LLC. "Hans Rosling: Stats that reshape your worldview." June 2006. ted.com. 7 March 2013
—. "Paul Collier on the "bottom billion." May 2008. ted.com. 7 March 2013
